Horror on I-75: Drunk Driver from Virginia Slams Truck into Disabled Car at 90+ MPH, Wiping Out Entire Young Family of Four – Judge Slams Door on Bail
In a devastating case that has shaken Oakland County, Michigan, 27-year-old Charles Dean Pace from Virginia appeared in court on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, facing charges that could keep him behind bars for life. A judge denied bond, citing the extreme severity of the allegations and Pace’s lack of ties to the state.
The tragedy unfolded on July 1, just after 9 p.m., on southbound Interstate 75 near East Holly Road. According to investigators, Pace was driving a Ford F-250 pickup truck at speeds exceeding 90 mph while weaving between lanes. He allegedly slammed into a disabled Chrysler 300 that had pulled over on the shoulder in what appears to have been a construction or emergency stop area. The impact was catastrophic, claiming the lives of an entire young family from Pontiac.
The victims have been identified as Tieree Powell, 24, Zakiera (or Zakeria) Powell, 24 (also referred to in some reports as Zakiera Sharon Dodson), and their two young children: Malani (or Nalani) Powell, around 3-4 years old, and Karter (or Carter) Powell, 2. The family was traveling together when their vehicle was struck from behind with devastating force.
Pace faces four counts of second-degree murder and four counts of operating while intoxicated (OWI) causing death. Toxicology results reportedly showed his blood alcohol concentration was more than three times the legal limit. Michigan State Police described a scene of high-speed recklessness that left little chance for the victims. Pace was in Michigan for work-related travel at the time.
This was not Pace’s first encounter with alcohol-related issues. Court records indicate he had a prior offense in Virginia in 2020 and had previously completed a substance abuse treatment program. Despite that history, authorities say he got behind the wheel again, allegedly heavily intoxicated, with tragic consequences.
During the arraignment via Zoom, the judge emphasized the gravity of the crime and the danger Pace poses to the community, leading to the denial of bond. He is scheduled to return to court on July 14 for a probable cause conference.
The crash has devastated the Pontiac community. Family members described the Powells as a close-knit young family whose lives were cut short in an instant. The loss of two toddlers alongside their parents has left relatives and neighbors struggling to process the unimaginable pain.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers of impaired and reckless driving on busy highways, especially in areas where vehicles may be vulnerable on the shoulder. Michigan roads see thousands of alcohol-related crashes each year, but cases involving entire families are particularly heartbreaking. Law enforcement continues to urge drivers to plan ahead, use ride-sharing services, or designate sober drivers to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
As the legal process moves forward, the community mourns four lives lost far too soon. The Powell family’s story serves as a stark reminder of the irreversible damage one impaired decision can cause.
